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'Topolect' (an English word coined in America by an English-speaking linguist who was describing Chinese languages) has the advantage of being precise and prese
by escape_goat 5y ago
'Topolect' (an English word coined in America by an English-speaking linguist who was describing Chinese languages) has the advantage of being precise and preserving the relationship between Mandarin and Cantonese that the writer was specifically referring to, but that aside, might I suggest that courage is best seen and not heard.
- LAC-Tech 5y ago'Topolect' is just a translation of 方言, a word that was previously translated as 'dialect'. It's a weak, flimsy word for people who know better, but still don't have the courage to say 'language'.
- escape_goat 5y agoI'm sorry, I did try to graciously point out that you had taken your patently noble defiance of the Chinese Communist Party and turned it into something that reflected poorly on your humility and empathy for others. Might I suggest writing the CCP a letter about the matter rather than speaking inappropriately about 'courage' and lecturing others?
- YeGoblynQueenne 5y agoBeg pardon. It's a made-up Greek word, comprised of "topos" and "lexis": "place" and "word" (or "saying") respectively. It's actually very similar to "topology" as a construction - "lexis" comes from "logos".